Redeeming the Time

Alrighty, here’s a quick update on my post earlier this week.

• Finish the last 3 chapters of edits on my book (not yet, but will by Sunday)
• Cook more meals and eat less fast food (yep- made 2 slow cooker meals)
• Post 2 more blog posts (check!)
• Upload a new video to my YouTube channel (2!)
• Get to bed before 11:30 pm each night (only once I think– but it happened when I turned off the computer by 8 pm)

Some additional accomplishments:

• Completed 2 more speeches in 2 of my 3 Toastmasters clubs (I’m on track to achieve my Advanced Communicator Silver by June). I’ve actually decided to scale back to 2 clubs
• Did some networking at a couple of events this week (I often don’t do anything on weeknights)

It’s been a productive week overall for me and I’m looking forward to some great summery weather this weekend. How was your week?

Take Back Your Time!: How to Start Unitasking in 8 Steps

The scattered piles of books and papers on my floor, across my desks, and on top of my dressers makes it clear that I have too many things going on at once. Because I can’t process all of it in an orderly fashion, this clutter is also transferred to my mind, which leads me to procrastinate or just give up.

I have a variety of interests and personal goals. I am involved in an active set of ministries at church, work full-time, do public speaking and freelance writing and above all, am a single parent of a little one, and I’ve started a new business I’m excited about. With all I’ve got going on in my life, and without giving priorities to my tasks and goals, everything becomes an overwhelming glob of to-dos. Something has got to give.

Courtesy of John Lawton

When crunch time comes along, we find out what the real priorities are in our lives. We’re all so busy, but busy doing what? Saying “Yes” to too many activities and too many people leaves no room for “me” time or family priorities, and we get worn out. Are ALL of our obligations really THAT important? Do we know when to say “No”?

Don’t have to wait until you “get around to it.” Decide now, from this day forward, that you will STOP MULTITASKING.

 

1. Multitasking wastes time because it slows you down.

Our minds can’t handle too many demanding things simultaneously. I’m not talking about combining little tasks such as running the washing machine while you watch TV or skim a magazine, or listening to an mp3 while you exercise. I’m talking about productive, cognitive tasks that require you to concentrate and process information, whether it be reading, writing, or driving. Think about it: you really can’t check your email and do your homework at the same time. You can have both in front of you while you take turns studying, and then take breaks to read emails. Switching back and forth between tasks is not efficient. You cannot truly multitask because your brain does not process information that way.

 

Cramming It All In Without Checking In

I can be somewhat of a cheapskate (some people say I should use the word “thrifty,” but call it what you will). I try to avoid fees whenever possible and anyone who has been out and about with me knows I’m not ashamed to use coupons in stores and restaurants.

I remember one of my weeklong trips to a tourist city last year. I didn’t want to pay any baggage fees newly mandated by the airline I was using, and I had a suitcase small enough to fit in an average plane’s overhead compartment. I figured I could pack clothes and keep the jeans to a minimum, washing a load of clothes in the middle of the week. I was determined not to buy much since I have visited before).

Well, so much for that. I did end up buying a few things, and because I didn’t have the exact same configuration I did when I arrived, I spent some time on the morning of my departure date sitting, rocking, and lying on the suitcase to get it closed. I was pulling zippers, rearranging stuff inside, you name it. I finally got it to work. The suitcase was completely closed—bulging but closed. I was afraid to re-open it before I got home, which wouldn’t be for about 8 hours.